How troops rescued 22 abducted victims after terrorist attack in Sokoto

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have rescued 22 kidnapped victims in separate operations conducted in Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja.

According to the statement, the first operation followed an attack by suspected terrorists on June 18, 2026, along the Sabon Birni–Shinkafi Road at Kura Mota Village, where two civilian vehicles were reportedly intercepted and several passengers abducted.

The statement disclosed that one civilian was killed during the attack.

Following the incident, troops were deployed to the area and launched a pursuit operation supported by aerial surveillance.

“Acting swiftly, troops immediately mobilized to the scene and launched a coordinated pursuit operation supported by aerial surveillance. The prompt response and sustained pressure mounted by the troops forced the terrorists to abandon their captives and flee,” the statement said.

It added that 17 kidnapped passengers were rescued during the operation and handed over to the appropriate authorities.

In a separate incident on the same day, troops responded to a distress call following an attack on farmers at Chohi Village in Isa Local Government Area.

The statement said armed terrorists attempted to abduct farmers working on their farmlands before troops moved into the area and pursued the attackers.

“The aggressive pursuit led to the successful rescue of five kidnapped farmers, who were thereafter reunited with their families,” the statement added.

Operation FANSAN YAMMA further disclosed that troops conducted confidence-building patrols in nearby communities, including Gidan Rana and Gidan Sale villages, after the rescue missions.

According to the statement, the patrols were aimed at reassuring residents, maintaining security presence and preventing criminal elements from operating freely within the affected areas.

The task force stated that the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to protect communities, safeguard lives and property, and improve security across the North-West region.